Instagram Update Adds More Powerful Editing Options

Instagram on Tuesday introduced a more powerful set of editing tools, giving users the ability to tweak settings such as brightness, contrast, warmth and more. The Facebook-owned app has always been about simplicity, only allowing folks to slap on filters without having much control. But the latest features making the app into a more powerful experience that rivals some bigger alternatives; it’s not quite the ultimate editing experience you’d find with something like VSCOCam, a TechnoBuffalo favorite, but it means Instagrammers now have more control over the end result.

With the update, Instagram is introducing a new wrench icon in the filter menu, which brings up an array of photo editing tools. In addition to adjusting stuff like saturation and warmth, you can also adjust how strong the filter is by double tapping the filter icon. Instagram says the editing tools are meant to give users more flexibility when posting pictures, and to help everyone realize their best selfie.

“You take a photo to capture a moment, but often what you see in the photograph doesn’t feel the same as what you remember,” Instagram said.

The update is rolling out starting today for both iOS and Android, so start checking your respective app stores now.